5 Life Lessons for A Successful 2016

Ministering: Pastor I.S James

Topic: 5 Life Lessons for A Successful 2016

Text: Daniel 1:1-21

References: Deut.30:19, Isaiah 39:1-8, Job 35:5-8

When Judah was overrun and taken captive by Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar instructed that the descendants of Judah’s king be brought into his service.

The devil isn’t after just after anyone, he is out to capture the best that you have.

He is out to take the best that you have, change your mindset & place you in his service.

Historians & theologians estimate that Daniel was brought into the service of Nebuchadnezzar at about the age of 15 & served until Cyrus’ 1^st year (59yrs).

Life Lessons For A Successful 2016:

1. We are all products of other people’s defects.
   1. God’s plans and purposes for our lives
   2. Our personal choices and actions
   3. The actions & inactions of our progenitors
      • Daniel & his contemporaries were taken into captivity because of the actions/inactions of their ancestors. (Isaiah 39:1-8)
2. Factors that influence & determine our lives:

Hezekiah opened up his entire home & defenses to Babylon, he was glorying in his achievements but he didn’t show them the house of God. By so doing, he opened his home & the lives of his offspring & future generations to the attacks of the enemy.

As a Christian, your most valued possession is your relationship with God. This is what the enemy is out to capture, corrupt & destroy.

No one sins in a vacuum. (Job 35:5-8)

1. Know the character of the man that God uses.

Nebuchadnezzar sought these qualities in the people that would serve in his court. These are traits God’s placed in you for success

• Nobility & Royalty
• Unblemished Young Men (no obvious weaknesses)
• Good looking (Hygiene, style, emotional strength)
• Gifted in wisdom (Creativity)
• Knowledgeable, Insightful & Innovative
• Able to serve before kings (Having confidence, boldness, carriage & problem solving skills)
• Teachable (Pliable, loyal)

The ability to serve before kings (efficiency) is crucial amongst these qualities. Efficiency is:

• Being able to get things done
• Having eyes for details